CHICHÉN ITZÁ AND THE YUCATÁN COAST12 min read

THE CENTRAL AMERICAN SERIES PT7

MEXICO – BELIZE

After a few weeks on the islands I was finally on the mainland of Central America and looking for to my journey that would eventually take me to Ushuaia, the most southern city in the world!

THIS COAST OF MEXICO IS MAGICAL

Arriving into Cancun I was looking forward to the beaches and tacos but having a backpacker budget meant I wouldn’t be having either. To keep within a budget I had to stay in the town of Cancun (Fiesta Party Hostel), a far cry from the stunning peninsula with no white sandy beaches and tacos in sight!

WHERE IS YUCATÁN?

Chichén Itzá and the Yucatán coast

CHICHÉN ITZÁ

There were plenty of other stops on my way to Belize which would offer some of the best beaches in the world and as for tacos, well I’ll make do!

Mexico and Central America is famous for it’s Mayan Ruins, none more so than Chichén Itzá, a huge step pyramid known as El Castillo. There was very few people here which I loved as apparently during normal times it can be difficult to get a photo. A dream of mine is to visit all 7 wonders but I was slightly underwhelmed with what I saw.

Don’t get me wrong, I can appreciate these sites but when something is given the title of ‘wonder of the world’ I half expect my breath to be taken away, just like the Taj Mahal did.

CANCUN NIGHTLIFE

The following day, Farzad an Iranian who moved to Canada when he was 4 checked into my room. The hostel was having a night out at one of the biggest clubs in Mexico and had a $60 deal detup – includes taxi, admission and free drink. I don’t know who arranged the whole thing but the door and route through the back of the stage made it feel someone somewhere was getting a back hander

I wasn’t for complaining though as it was a good night but don’t believe a word if someone says free drink for $60 as it soon dried up!

Ruins at sunset before 3 guards came for us.

TULUM

The original plan was to get the boat across to Isla Mujeres and swim with some turtles but myself and Farzad headed to Tulum instead, a place I’ve always been keen to visit.

His sister is getting married here next week so he’s dropping of his ukulele and continue on towards Belize. He bumped into a local who owned one back at the bus station and they had a little play off. Only in Mexico would you see two fellas with a ukulele!

I expected to enjoy Tulum but it was actually quite the shock. The colour of the water was like nothing I had ever seen as this stage and with the chilled daytime atmosphere it’s for sure a place I could come and holiday at. The nightlife is pretty buzzing as well with a lot of small bars and hotels scattered around, a much better option than Cancun!

Ruins at sunset before 3 guards came for us.

BELIZE

Another night bus and another ridiculous border. Each one of us had to go into this room (1 at a time) and pay a leaving fee….yes a leaving fee! I’d never heard of such before so thought I’d see what happens if I were to request a receipt.

“The stamp in your passport is your receipt!”

Anyway, it is what it is and made for our boat to heat out to Caye Caulker. Apart from the never ended rain, its clear the recent hurricane had an impact here too as there was no decent spots to lay down.

Chichén Itzá and the Yucatán coast

FRY JACKS

Was told by a friend I met in Cuba to try Fry Jacks – a sandwich unique to Belize. The bap can best be described as thin donut type bread (fried bread) with any ingredient you want inside – chicken egg cheese etc and cheap as chips! I’ll admit it doesn’t sound good – even to me but if you ever see yourself out here please do me a favour and try this place!

Chichén Itzá and the Yucatán coast

GREAT BLUE HOLE

Ever since seeing a photo of the Great Blue Hole in a textbook during geography class I have always wanted to visit and didn’t know until getting here that I could actually dive it! It’s a world famous dive site, not because you see anything special but just because it looks spectacular from above.

Chichén Itzá and the Yucatán coast

FRENCH DIVERS BASTARDS (THE COMPANY)

I went to a company called French divers and made an inquiry for tomorrow’s dive, it was late but they said they had space so I told them to give me an hour so I could get the deposit and come back. I’ll admit I was slightly longer but I’ve only just landed on an island in Central America and find myself looking for an ATM that will disperse $400! But when I came back I spoke to someone else who said they had no space and he couldn’t give less of a fuck!

So I went to check another place ‘Belize Diving Services’. A fair bit more expensive so had my doubts until Farzad told me to book it as I hadn’t shut up about the dive since I heard about it. He was right because I don’t plan to come back to Belize either.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It might not be Thailand but it’s not far off it!

NEXT UP

Diving the Great Blue Hole! Click to read.

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
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This post is part of The Central American Series, click to explore or for episode 1 click here.